Can You Paint Disc Golf Discs? – Must Read Before You Paint!

You might have heard of disc golf but don’t know exactly what it means. It’s an intriguing concept, but once you’re introduced to the sport, it is easy to get hooked to this combination of frisbee and golf. One of the best things you can do is personalizing your discs.

But, can you paint on the discs? Yes! You can legally paint or dye your disc golf discs. There are many ways you can do this, and you can even get some really cool effects using different methods. You can even create discs that have your very own stamp and style. Painting or dyeing your disc golf discs can also be therapeutic and comforting. You can be as creative as you want.

So, What is Disc Golf?

Believe it or not, disc golf is a mix between golf and frisbee. The rules are similar to golf – you need to get your disc from the “tee” to the “hole” with the least throws. But instead of golf clubs and a ball, you use your hand to throw special golf discs from a “tee” into a basket.

The game is exciting and can be a lot of fun. While it does require skill and a lot of practice, it is worth the effort and is a good way to exercise as well.

However, you can make the experience even better by painting or dyeing your disc golf discs.

Why Would You Want to Paint Your Disc Golf Discs?

For one, it’s a way for you to showcase your individual style. The other reason is that painting or dyeing your disc golf discs makes them look more attractive and snazzy. They can become great conversation pieces, and they can also be used as gifts to other disc golf enthusiasts. And did we mention that dyeing your disc golf discs can be a lot of fun?

Is it Legal to Paint Your Disc Golf Discs?

According to rule 813.01 of the Professional Disc Golf Association, “…Discs excessively sanded or painted with a material of detectable thickness are illegal…” So, you want to be very careful when painting your disc or sanding it.

As long as your disc does not have substantial added paint thickness or excessive loss due to sanding, you are good to go. Rather than painting, we suggest you use one of the many disc dyeing techniques that are quite common to get great results.

What Do You Need to Paint Your Disc Golf Discs?

First off, you need to have the correct discs to get a good color. We suggest that you use high-quality premium discs if you want to try painting or dyeing them as they are the best. Do not use discs made of cheap plastic. You could use opaque or translucent discs made of premium plastic for the best results.

Next, you will need dyes to paint or dye your discs. We suggest using synthetic dyes. It does not matter whether you use powder or liquid dyes since they work just as well. Do not use natural dyes as they may not give good results.

You can find plenty of good synthetic dyes available online and in shops that last for ages.

You will also need a flat surface to work on. Use a work table that is covered with newspaper to avoid dyeing the table with any dye that may fall on it during the dyeing process.

Next, you will need a medium that can be used as a base to hold the dye and the disc. People have used cheap shampoos, conditioners, and even shaving cream as the medium or base for the dyeing process. Each medium gives the dyeing process a slightly different effect. Make sure you try out different media to get a feel for the effects you can produce.

Then, you will need a large plate or dish to hold the medium and your disc. You could use a large disposable plate or even an old frying pan for this.

You may also require a few disposable cups to hold the dye. Other than that, you may need something like a scoop, spoon, syringe, or eyedropper to handle the dye.

You may also need acetone if you want to remove the label from the disc before dyeing. Do not pour acetone directly onto the discs or they could get damaged. Instead, add a few drops of acetone to a cotton ball and gently rub the disc with the cotton ball.

Before you dye the disc, make sure you wash it with soap and water. Then, dry it with a micro-fiber towel or cloth to remove any dirt and grease from the surface of the disc.

You may also need a small misting bottle with water to wet the surface of the medium if you are using powdered dye.

Just like any other process, you will need a lot of patience.

The Dyeing Process

  1. First, make sure that the disk is clean. Wash it with soap and water, then dry it with a micro-fiber towel to remove all traces of dirt and oil from your fingers. Washing will also remove any acetone that may be left over after wiping off the labels.
  2. Next, prepare the medium. If you are using shaving cream, make a generous mound on the plate or frying pan that you are using. Add a little water and mix it to get a smooth texture. Use a ruler or other means to make a flat surface.
  3. Now, sprinkle the top of the medium with dry dye. If you are using liquid dye, you could add drops or droplets of dye all over the surface. Use more than one color for nice effects.
  4. Next, if you have used dry powdered dye, wet the surface of the shaving cream.
  5. Now, you could use a toothpick to lightly pull or tweak the dye to create streaks.
  6. Then, carefully and gently place the disc on the surface of the shaving cream. You may need to press it down a bit ‘til the shaving cream starts coming near the edges of the disc.
  7. After this, you need to keep the disc undisturbed for about 45 minutes to 12 hours or more. The time varies, but as a rule of thumb, a longer resting period equals better dyeing).
  8. After keeping the disc resting for some time, you need to wash it with water to see your dyed or painted disc.
  9. Instead of shaving cream, you can even use cheap shampoo or conditioner as the medium for slightly different effects.
  10. You could even use a cut-out sticker stencil to dye a picture on the disc.

Before you can become an expert at dyeing your disc golf discs, you may need to practice a bit, learn from mistakes, and innovate before you get really satisfying results.

There are other techniques you can use to dye your discs as well like spin dyeing and drip design, but that is for another time.

Conclusion

Disc golf is a new sensation. People are taking to the game like fish to water. This exciting game combines the best of golf and frisbee. But, another spin-off of this latest sensation is dyeing or painting your disc golf discs.

Use this therapeutic art form to give your disc golf discs that distinctive individuality that we all crave. Explore, do research, and watch a few YouTube videos to get a feel for the exciting art of disc golf disc dyeing.